Colemanballs.

If you have to steal one book from the library this year make it this one. Julien Mercille’s definitive analysis of the Irish media’s propagandist publishing in favour of an increasingly wealthy and powerful elite.

“A book of record… An exceptionally rare example of an academically rigorous analysis forcing the powerful light of transparency and exposure into the murky world of Irish policy advocacy and punditry… A captivating account.”

– Constantin Gurdgiev, Trinity College Dublin

“Shows how the ‘responsible’, ‘balanced’, ‘non-ideological’ Irish media have consistently supported policies that favour elites and disfavour most people, notably people in disadvantaged communities.”

– Vincent Browne, Broadcaster and journalist.

“Julien Mercille has filled an important gap in our understanding not only of how a nation implemented irrational austerity policies, but how media institutions played a central role in ensuring people tolerated them.”

– Michael Taft, Research Officer, Unite the Union.

“Julien Mercille delivers both a stinging critique of how Irish media narrowed the debate on crisis and austerity and a comprehensive analysis of that limited public discourse.”

Such a shame Routledge has chosen to publish this at €112/£89: obviously they don’t think it will sell more than 500 copies. If they priced it at €15.99/£11.99 they’d be on a winner and Julien Mercille would see some real recognition and readership for his work (and a bit of proper money).